Find out how popular the last name Desiderato is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Desiderato.

Desiderato, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Desiderato surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Desiderato in America

Desiderato is the 149328th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Desiderato surname appeared 101 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Desiderato.

The history of the last name Desiderato

The surname Desiderato originates from Italy, more specifically from the southern regions such as Campania and Puglia. The name likely emerged during the Middle Ages, a period spanning from the 5th to the late 15th century. The etymology of Desiderato can be traced back to the Latin word "desideratus," which translates to "desired" or "longed for." This Latin origin suggests that the name was initially a byname or nickname for a person who was greatly desired or admired by their community.

In the context of old records, Desiderato appears infrequently, given its specific regional roots. One of the earliest references to the surname in written form can be found in parish records from the 15th century in Campania. These early records often noted familial and social ties, offering glimpses into the lives of the Desiderato family members.

The name underwent various spellings depending on the region and local dialects. In some records, it appeared as "Desiderato" or "Desiderati," reflecting minor variations in pronunciation. The name Desiderato also occasionally aligned with place names, especially in areas with a tradition of using patronymics and toponyms.

One of the earliest documented individuals with the surname Desiderato was Antonio Desiderato, recorded in the town of Salerno around 1475. Antonio was a notable artisan whose work in stone masonry was well-regarded in the region. Giovanni Desiderato, born in 1510 and known for his contributions to local agricultural advancements in Apulia, is another early figure. His techniques in viticulture were recorded in town registers, gaining him local fame.

Moving into the 17th century, Maria Desiderato, born in 1603 in Naples, is documented as an early female scholar. Her translations of religious texts from Latin to Italian played a significant role in religious education at the time. Pietro Desiderato, born in 1650, served as a judicial officer in Bari and his legal decisions were part of the municipal records, highlighting his influence in local governance.

More recently, in the 18th century, Luigi Desiderato, born in 1725 in Taranto, was a merchant whose trade routes extended throughout the Mediterranean. His business dealings bolstered the regional economy and his correspondence has been preserved in local archives.

By examining these historical references and prominent individuals, the surname Desiderato reveals a rich tapestry of cultural and social significance, deeply rooted in the history of southern Italy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Desiderato

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Desiderato.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Desiderato was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Desiderato was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Desiderato, please contact us.

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